Liam Henderson on his new Falkirk contract, John McGlynn and his unusual analysis routine

Falkirk ace Liam Henderson reckons that the special relationship he has built up with boss John McGlynn has made him a better player - even if it does mean that his performances are under intense scrutiny.

The centre-back, 30, has just signed a contract extension with the Bairns, with his new deal keeping him at the Falkirk Stadium until at the least the summer of 2029.

And that is just reward for the former Arbroath and Edinburgh City defender after an impressive run in the Scottish Premiership. McGlynn’s side have racked up five wins on the spin, with three of those games coming with clean sheets.

Henderson has played a key part in that - putting in some strong defensive displays alongside centre-back partner Lewis Neilson, who himself has excelled this season after joining the club permanently in the summer.

However, the start to the campaign was a little bit more difficult for Henderson, who hadn’t yet hit the same heights that he had during season’s impressive top-six finish.

Falkirk duo are excelling in defence

“I'm always trying to get better and look at things that I've maybe did badly in a game to try to fix it,” Henderson reflected. “I have did that throughout my career. You do think about it constantly after games. I think I've kicked on a wee bit again and found a good partnership with Lewis (Neilson).

“At the start of the season we were chopping and changing with different defenders and it was a wee bit hard to get going. You're always trying to get better and develop, but this year has been a bit harder in terms of that change. I'm not using it as an excuse. It's about the team winning games on a Saturday.

“I'm a massive overthinker, and that can be a good thing and a bad thing. When we get the Hudl (match analysis footage) sent over after a game, you get your own clips to watch back.

“It's very hard when you think you've had a bad game and you're watching the clips, but it's about trying to progress and develop. I think it's been a big thing for me in my career and maybe why I'm at this level, because I've always tried to fix it and do better in the next game.”

The centre-back - who scored a cracker during last Sunday’s 5-2 victory away to Hearts - also offered up where he usually watches his match analysis footage in what is a busy household with wee one Marlowe, aged one, and his wife Taylor.

“I get a bit of time to do that when I'm on the toilet,” he joked. “I'll watch the clips back when I've got my peace and quiet and she's downstairs with the wee one and I get a bit of time. It doesn't take long, it's 10 minutes or whatever, you scroll through it.

“We normally see a lot of them with the gaffer during our analysis meetings. You get that red pointy arrow pointing at your face. In a game that you made a mistake, you do think ‘oh no...’ I am going to see that on Tuesday,”

On the special relationship that he has with his gaffer, Henderson - who was McGlynn’s first signing back in the summer of 2022 - explained that he is very happy to have his performances nitpicked because it makes him a better player. He says that signing a contract extension was a no-brainer.

“We've had that relationship now, we know each other really well,” he said. “We know when it's a laugh and a joke or it's serious. I've grown up a wee bit and I'm a bit more experienced, I know that it's not about digging somebody out or making them feel small.

“It's about getting better and learning as a team, and learning from your mistakes. When something does pop up in the meeting, I'm happy for the gaffer to pick me out because I know that he's trying to help me and the team. It's not about shutting you down.

“It's about trying to develop everyone so we're all on the same hymn sheet, we're all doing the right things on a game day when it matters the most.”

“I’m absolutely buzzing to get the contract sorted and over the line. Jamie (Swinney) and the board have been really good with me and I’m delighted to commit my future to the club.

“Falkirk have been great with me over the last four or five years, as well as during my previous spell here, so it’s a place that means a lot to me. My family and I are really happy to be staying and hopefully there are many more good years to come.

“The fans have been brilliant with me since I came back and we’ve shared some great moments together. Hopefully there’s plenty more to come.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the gaffer, the rest of the squad and all the staff behind the scenes. I’m over the moon to have signed this extension.”

McGlynn added: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that Liam Henderson has extended his contract with the club. Liam was the first player we signed when we arrived at Falkirk and he has just continued to get better and better. He’s a great professional, a great lad, and he really understands what Falkirk Football Club is all about.

“He’s been a joy to work with throughout what have been mainly highs. We’ve been very successful during our time here and Liam has been a big part of that every step of the way. It’s fantastic that he’s committed his future to the club and hopefully we can continue to improve and be successful together.”